Nigeria, South Africa launch youth dialogue for peace, security

Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday launched the Nigeria-South Africa Youth Dialogue for Peace and Security, Youth Development and Political Participation. Buhari, while speaking to the youths virtually, said the dialogue would promote peace-building and development, and help both countries jointly combat youth restiveness. Attacks on schools worsening out-of-school children menace – Reps […]

Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday launched the Nigeria-South Africa Youth Dialogue for Peace and Security, Youth Development and Political Participation.

Buhari, while speaking to the youths virtually, said the dialogue would promote peace-building and development, and help both countries jointly combat youth restiveness.

• Attacks on schools worsening out-of-school children menace – Reps
• National carrier not realistic — Senate

He said the dialogue would afford both countries to strategically develop ‘’a vast world of collaboration in areas of science and technology,’’ including climate change, energy demands, green technology, artificial intelligence, cyber security, telematics, agriculture, technology and much more.

He said: ‘’Nigeria and South Africa have a combined population of about 262 million of which 95 million are youth.

‘’This represents tremendous potential for both countries if we can truly harness this demographic with more dedicated action.

‘’This sizable youth population may also represent significant problems if we fail to maximize their potential in a world that globalization and technology are reshaping at breakneck speed.

‘’These are the rationale for proposing this Youth Dialogue.”

Buhari described the inauguration of the Steering Committee on the Youth Dialogue during the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission as a great leap forward.

The committee is expected to come up with the road map for the actualization of the Youth Dialogue.